hi i was doing some keyboard repairs at a school today and both my
desolder pumps stopped working - i determined that the cause was not a
blockage as usual but that it needed lubrication - i asked the janny
for some wd40 but he didnt have any but he suggested washing up liquid
- i put some on the piston and its working better than new - is this a
bad idea will it eat away the rubber ?

I do not think so, but it could get stick if left alone. WD40 is not
the best either, use a 3in1 type of oil, very little though.

my 2cents worth,
Homer

"Homer" wrote in message
oups.com...
I do not think so, but it could get stick if left alone. WD40 is not
the best either, use a 3in1 type of oil, very little though.

my 2cents worth,
Homer

I seem to recall years ago, using a tiny smear of washing up liquid on car
brake cylinder seals, to get them to fit onto the pistons, and then go into
the cylinders. I think it was one of those auto mechanics' trade tips. Those
seals are synthetic neoprene I think, so probably immune to attack by most
things. If the seals in your sucker are synthetic too, then I don't think
you will have a problem. I agree that WD40 is probably not the best, but if
the seal is rubber or a rubber derivative, then a mineral oil like 3 in 1
probably isn't very good either. I would have thought one of the modern
synthetic engine oils, or even a vegetable based cooking oil, would be
safest.

Arfa

In article ,
Arfa Daily wrote:
I seem to recall years ago, using a tiny smear of washing up liquid on
car brake cylinder seals, to get them to fit onto the pistons, and then
go into the cylinders. I think it was one of those auto mechanics'
trade tips.

Ug. I'd be wary of introducing anything untested into a car's braking
system. The correct thing for this is red rubber grease which you can get
from a good motor accessory shop, etc. It comes in small tubes or tubs
similar to general purpose grease, and is always useful for other apps - I
keep a tub in the workshop.

--
*If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Arfa Daily wrote:
I seem to recall years ago, using a tiny smear of washing up liquid on
car brake cylinder seals, to get them to fit onto the pistons, and then
go into the cylinders. I think it was one of those auto mechanics'
trade tips.

Ug. I'd be wary of introducing anything untested into a car's braking
system. The correct thing for this is red rubber grease which you can get
from a good motor accessory shop, etc. It comes in small tubes or tubs
similar to general purpose grease, and is always useful for other apps - I
keep a tub in the workshop.


I used to simply use brake fluid on the cylinder if it was sticking a bit.
It was a tip I got from a mechanic, I don't know if it was a good one or not
;-)

Dave.

"neilish" wrote in message
oups.com...
hi i was doing some keyboard repairs at a school today and both my
desolder pumps stopped working - i determined that the cause was not a
blockage as usual but that it needed lubrication - i asked the janny
for some wd40 but he didnt have any but he suggested washing up liquid
- i put some on the piston and its working better than new - is this a
bad idea

No, introducing a non-perishing lubricant is a good idea IME, but I
personally wouldn't want to use washing up liquid.

will it eat away the rubber ?


Probably not, but it may 'gum' up causing sticking or drag. It is likely
to dry up fairly quickly because AFAIK washing up liquid is a water based
substance.

I can only speak for the neoprene washer style pumps, not the o-ring seal
variety-

I routinely apply a dollop of silicone grease (the clear lubricant stuff
*not* heatsink compound) to the barrel and piston of my solder suckers and
it decreases friction, improves the seal and gives a huge performance in
suction, even when the neoprene washer is already worn. It also drastically
increases the life of the seal/washer, I haven't changed the neoprene washer
in mine for ages.

The advantage of silicone grease is that it doesn't seem to affect the
neoprene washer at all, whereas mineral oils I'd guess may cause it to
disintegrate over time. I'm not sure if washing up liquid affects neoprene
or rubber though, or whether the o-ring seal type pumps use synthetic or
plain old rubber.

Dave